Psychic Chick

Part One: Becoming a Shinigami

Chapter One: The New Students

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of it's characters. Credit for the picture goes to the artist, if anyone knows who they are I'd love to give them a mention. I own this story and the original characters in this fic.

Main POV

I gripped the cold, metal handle with sweaty hands and shoved the door to Mr. Bell's office open. It let out a horrible, ear splitting screech that sounded nails on a blackboard. The stench of what I could only assume was death assaulted my senses as I stepped inside the room my nose scrunched up on instinct. It was so horrid I could taste the evil on my tongue. I was overwhelmed in it's intoxicating and nauseating aroma. Although, rather than death it's possible it was just Lynx Body Spray. Yep. Lynx Africa to be exact.

I'd been called up to the Principal's office yet again. And unfortunately it wasn't my fault this time. If it was I'd get some detentions and could skedaddle out of here. So why am I here? Well, every year I was responsible for looking after my age group's transfer students while they attended our school. I was roped into this task every year because my mother harboured and incessant need for me to be on top of everything. So she signed me up every year and the school board accepted me every year for several reasons, good grades, Japanese decent and my parent's money. There was the benefit of extra credit in Japanese but I was only taking the class for a bulge subject. I was always surprised they let a native speaker take that class. Springdale man. This town was nuts.

"So you've finally decided to show up have you, Miss Kurodo? You know I don't take kindly to tardiness," Mr Bell said as he faced away from me. He had his arms crossed behind his back like the military ''at ease'' position. He was staring out the window at seemingly nothing, like the future -or current- supervillain he is.

"Sorry, got lost on the way here," I replied sarcastically.

"You know Tina, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit," he said, annoyance clear in his voice.

'Your mother's the lowest form of wit, jerk face,' I thought, feeling pretty proud of myself for that one.

"I'd like you to escort the transfer students around campus, give them a tour of the school. You'll be responsible for making sure they get to class everyday on time and you'll need to assign them lockers, collect their books, etc. Failing to do so will have serious consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

He turned to face me, I was sure it was in order to stare me down. He always seemed to get off on scaring people. Another mark in the supervillain tally book.

"Yes sir," I agreed, going along with what he said. I was on thin ice as it was.

'Baka' I thought. I couldn't believe I was having to do this again.

Despite my evident distaste for the man, I often found it hard to say the rude things I was thinking out loud. I didn't know why, my parents had too much money for me to get kicked out, so there were no real consequences. I could really be as disrespectful as I liked. Perhaps, I was just a chicken. No, it wasn't being kicked out that I was afraid of. I had a certain leniency provided for me from the staff here, most of what I did was annoying more than it was suspension worthy, but being overtly disrespectful, that could get me in serious trouble.

"If I catch you stepping a toe out of line or leading them astray I swear to God, Tina..." he growled.

"I got it, I got it, okay? Just because last year we skipped class a couple of times to play poker in the music room doesn't mean I'm gonna do it with everyone." This was mostly because Mr. Bell had confiscated my last deck of cards and I didn't fancy having another set taken from me if I tried again. My parents would kill me. They were collectables.

I wouldn't describe myself a a bad kid. I'm certainly not the future of any teen boy's wet dreams because of how much of a badass I was. In fact I was more of a social leper. I mostly just get bored a lot. I have ADD. Although I'm not sure if that was a legitimate diagnosis or if it was one my parent's bought to keep me from serious consequences. I mean I get good grades and I do the work so I don't see what the problem is, so what if I raise a little hell? That's the way Oyaji saw it. Not that I interacted with him very much.

I've always been kind of a keep to myself kind of person, so maybe that's why the student body avoided me. I didn't make an effort with them, so why should they with me? I supposed this exchange student gig was a good thing, I was a loner by choice but that didn't mean I didn't get lonely sometimes. At least now I'd have someone to talk to, even if they were annoying. All the constant questions, needing help with their English. Their written English was flawless it was just the speaking and grammar they needed help with. And all the slang. But I wasn't a language coach. It wasn't my job to teach everyone who came along to speak English. I only spoke Japanese because I was Japanese. Well I still am, but I live in Australia and I don't see myself going back anytime soon. Especially not with my older brother in America. If I moved anywhere overseas it would be there.

I left the office while I had the chance to escape Mr. Bell and headed back into reception. I seriously don't understand why I have to do the tour every year, it's so boring. Seriously, even a trip to the museum of the history of toe nail clippers would be more interesting that Springdale High School, if there was such a thing. We don't even get one of those cute uniforms Japanese kids wear.

I waved to Rosie the school's receptionist as I went back to sit down in the chairs by the photocopier and wait. I picked up a magazine from table beside me and propped it up on my knees, pulling out my phone and pretending I was actually reading. I figured if I was going to be stuck here I might as well work on my flappy bird game. I had no idea why everyone hated it so much, it wasn't frustrating at all. I'm at several hundred on a bad day. I heard the telephone ring in the background but ignored it. Listening in to teacher's phone calls were only interesting when you were in the nurse's office.

"Yes, yes, of course. Yes, I'll tell her. Right away, yes." I overheard Rosie say. I locked my phone and put it back in my pocket, worried I'd get caught with it out.

"Miss Kurodo?" I glanced up at Rosie innocently, small, cheesy grin on my face.

"Yeah Rosie?" I asked.

"The transfer students just arrived. They're waiting outside."

I stood up and put my magazine back on the table. I walked past her desk and thanked her before heading for the door.

"Oh and Tina?" I spun back around.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for rescuing my cat the other night."

She handed me an enormous bag of cookies wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow.

"Don't mention it."

I was minding my own business the other night, coming home from the park when this whopping great big monster was howling at this cat who was up some tree. I dispatched the big howling beast just as Rosie got there and caught me hanging out of a tree. Turns out it was her cat that had gotten outside by mistake and she thought I'd climbed up there to rescue the stupid, hairy thing.

"Good luck," she wished me well and gave me a warm smile.

My mouth watered just thinking about the cookies I'd just stuffed into my leather jacket's pocket. I pulled one out and shoved it in my mouth whole, scarfing it down. I stepped outside the administration building and sure enough the transfer students were there, waiting.

"Ohayō," I muffled out swallowing the crummy remains of my soft, delicious cookie. Also trying not to spray crumbs everywhere.

"You're the guide they assigned us?" The white haired one asked in disbelief.

'What a douche.' I thought.

"Unfortunately," I responded dryly. "Let's get this bore tour on the road. I have to give you a tour of campus before I assign you your books and take you to your classes. Oh and you'll need lockers too."

Aside from the white haired one, I was the shortest here, unsurprisingly. I stood at 5ft 2" just shy of my mother's 5ft 1". What I wouldn't give to have gotten my dad's height like my brother did. They both stood at 5ft 10 1/2".
I looked them all over as they seemed to be doing the same with me. There was one who seemed to have black hair like I did -along with some weird stuff on his eyebrows- but the rest of them all had hair that could no way be natural. The 6ft 2" one had long, red, pineapple-like hair and I caught a glimpse at some tribal tattoos. The next tallest stood at what I assumed was 5ft 11", the girl at maybe 5ft 7" and the black haired on was 5ft 6" for sure.

I tried not to laugh as the white haired one was shorter than my granny and looked way to young to be in my year. I think he spotted my lack of subtlety as I could see cross marks appearing on his forehead and his eye twitching, which only made me want to giggle more. It was all fun and games until I overheard him muttering something about the shape of my head.

"How rude! What a melon head. I've not been here five minutes and she's already laughing about my height. Probably got something against my hair too!"

"Oi! Shiro-chan, shut the fuck up!" I snarled in his direction, crossing my arms over my chest angrily. Cross marks of my own had started to form. "My head does not look like a melon and you're short, get over it."

"How did she know that?" I heard him say again. Or maybe? 'Aw crap.' He never said it, he thought it.

"Hitsugaya-san never said anything," said he large breasted one.

"Okay, I guess it's time to start the tour now." I clapped my hands together and jumped off the step, hurrying away as a distraction so I wouldn't have to answer questions I didn't really know the answers to.

For as long as I could remember I could read minds, among other things. I'd just hear thoughts and assume they were being said until I learned to harness it a little bit. I try not to use it often, I don't really want to pry and there were some thoughts you just didn't want to hear about, trust me.

"Are we going to do introductions?" One of the guys asked, partway into the tour.

"I'm Kurodo Tina, 11th level student and School Captain. I'm 5ft 3" and my blood type is AB. Anything else you want to know?" I asked irritably. Looking behind me I saw a few shaking their heads and mumbles of no.

"I'm Ayasegawa Yumichika, it's an honor to be in such beautiful company." The one with the black hair bowed slightly. "The one over there with the shaved head is Maderame Ikkaku."

"It's nice to meet you," he said in a deep growl.

"Matsumoto Rangiku, I'm glad to have made your acquaintance," the busty one replied.

"I'm Abarai Renji," he tattooed and red headed one responded, not saying much else but continuing to eye me. I couldn't work out if he was suspicious or he thought I was hot. I'm not sure which one I was more afraid of.

I looked at the clock because I was bored out of my mind and naive enough to think checking the time will do anything. It was only 1:30 and I couldn't leave until 2, and then I had to look after the transfer students before I could get home. 'Fuck.' I wonder if I could weasel out of the last half hour of class. I mean I've already finished the work and the homework.

I closed my books and stacked everything neatly on my desk before getting up lazily and stretching. I started walking over to the teacher, the buckles on my boots jingling.

"Kurodo, you better not be out of your seat," Mr. Rogers yelled from his desk, barely glancing up at me.

"I've finished all my work, sir," I started, hands stuffed into my pockets.

"Well do your homework, you know the drill," he said looking up from his paperwork. Mr. Rogers may have been rather strict but he was also one of the more understanding teachers I had when it came to my ADD.

"I know, I've done this week's and next week's homework. I want to go and check up on the transfer students I'm looking after so I could do some more work on that," I explained.

I mean I wasn't technically lying, I was going to bust the newbies out of class early and get them all set up so I could get back home before Oyaji, Kaasan and obaasan left. Ojiisan having passed on now.

"There's still a good half hour left of class," Mr. Rogers responded.

"I know, but my time is wasted here because I've done all I can do, shouldn't I be doing something more productive than drawing in my book?" I persuaded.

"Oh alright," he sighed. "I guess I could do with an afternoon off from your antics anyway."

He smiled as he let me go. I hurried out the door, grabbing my books on the way past. Mr Rogers was easily one of my favourite teachers at this school. He was kinda strict, like I said, but he saw me as me. And treated me accordingly.

"Guys, grab your stuff. We're going."

I barged into the office room where the transfer students were sitting.

"Why?" Ikkaku asked.

"Where to?" Renji questioned, standing up and walking to my side.

"That's the spirit!" I cheered. "We're going to the accommodation the school has set up for you," I explained.

"Oh," Ikkaku rubbed his shiny head.

"And by the school I mean me. The school signed the paperwork and put their name in front of it. But I'm a team player so conveniently, I don't mind," I joked. I was in much better spirits now I was getting to wag the last half our of school.

"Yes that is rather convenient," Hitsugaya replied sarcastically.

"And on that note, we're leaving. Come on, let's go."

I lead them out to the student car park and waited for everyone to get as comfortable as they all could in the car that didn't have enough seats. I was trying to fit 6 people in a 5 seater car. Even if it was a Dodge Ram it was still a bit of a squeeze. I was behind the wheel, Renji ended up in the passenger seat and Yumichika was sharing a seatbelt in the right back seat. Hitsugaya being the smallest was in the middle and Ikkaku was in the left back seat. Really I probably could have saved some room by shoving someone out in the flatbed but then I'd have to figure out somewhere else to store my motorbike.

Technically I wasn't supposed to be driving the ram without adult supervision but everyone in here with the exception of Hitsugaya could totally pass for over 21 so I was home free. Except that I'm betting none of them has a valid driver's licence. I don't know why I'm worried, this town has like one cop and he's a fat guy who spends most of his time at the post office.

I'd probably take the bike to go and see my family though, just to be safe. We pulled up to the hotel a few miles away from the school and everyone climbed out, seeming much happier out of the truck than cramped inside it. I walked into the lobby making a beeline for the receptionist not bothering to check if the others were behind me. I could hear the wheeling of Rangiku's suit case and Ikkaku and Renji hitting each other with their duffle bags.

"Hello, how may I help you today?" asked a woman the woman from behind the desk.

She was easily as busty as Rangiku, had short, dark hair and an older looking face. I wondered how I got a cushy little number like this to work at once I left high school. Our town is very small, I didn't even know why we had a hotel. The school used it once a year and otherwise it seemed completely empty.

"Oh, yes, we're the party from Springdale High School." I sent a sickeningly sweet smile across the counter at her.

"Ah, right on time. Here's your room keys, one for each of you. I'll just get you to sign here and I'll need some ID and we're all done."

I pulled out my wallet and put my student ID card on the desk in front of her along with my motorbike licence.

"All this seems to be in order," she replied as I was signing the piece of paper attached to the clipboard she had handed me moments ago.

Once I'd signed everything our bags were put on a golden cart and we took the stairs to the top floor while the bellhop was left with our things. We managed to get the last three rooms in the back half of the hotel, complete opposite side of the hallway to the ice machine.

"Okay guys, these are our rooms. 6F, G and H. Each room has two beds so you're all going to have to share. Now I suggest Madarame and Ayasegawa share, Hitsugaya and Abarai then myself and Matsumoto. Any questions?"

"Yeah, don't you have your own home to stay in?" Yumichika asked.

"The school has been doing transfers for years. The whole time I've been here, I've been in charge of doing my age group's transfers. So that's why I'm staying with you. You didn't think the school would just leave you in a hotel without a guide did you?" I was greeted with silence. They really had thought that. "You've gotten to school a total of once, it's my job to make sure you attend all your classes and make it to school every day. So I've been stationed here."

"Oh," Yumichika responded after a quiet moment.

The five of them exchanged looks but Renji kept an eye on me through it all. I still had no idea what exactly he was staring at or looking for but I hoped he would stop soon so I could go back to staring at him without him noticing. Trying to ignore whatever they were not subtly discussing, without me, in front of me I began handing out room keys.

"Now don't lose these. There are no replacements and if you do lose yours, you'd better hope your roomie remembered theirs. The bellhop should be here with your bags any moment so I suggest you go and get yourself acquainted with your rooms. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

I spun around on my heel, I've managed to score a fair bit of extra time so it should be no problem getting home before everyone leaves.

"Where are you going?" Hitsugaya asked authoritatively.

'Who the fuck was he to question me? He's like the youngest here and I'm in charge.' I thought.

"Out." I responded curtly.

"You mind if I join you?" Renji asked, stepping forward.

'Yes.'

"Not at all. Come along if you're coming," I replied cooly. Not waiting to see if he'd follow I walked back down the corridor to the stairs and walked down them two at a time. Which, for me, meant practically bounding down them.

'Stupid short legs.'

I was thankful everyone had arrived on a Friday as that meant I had more time to myself for the next few days before I had to deal with organising their Monday. Monday was always the worst, everything was new, everyone was tired and nobody likes Mondays. Halfway down the second flight of stairs Renji had effortlessly caught up with me and was at my side, glancing at me every so often. Which I couldn't really get mad at, I was also checking him out. Although I was doing it because I thought he was hot, he probably was still trying to suss me out. The six of them were keeping some kind of secret, I know that much.

Down in the parking lot I climbed into the flatbed of the Ute and slowly lowered the bike to the ground. I drove a Kawasaki which, considering the size and shape of the bike, it should have been rather heavy but honestly, I didn't really feel it. I'd always had this weird ability to lift things and not get hurt when I should have, and usually I just chalked it down to my powers. Mind you, my powers were mind based. Mind reading, the occasional future predictions and invisibility. I never really segregated them as powers though, because of how related they were. I just assumed it was a block thing, like they were one solid power.

After the bike was sitting on the ground I was in the silver lock box I kept in the back of the truck and pulled out two helmets and tossed one to Renji. Thankfully he was well dressed for the occasion. He'd decided to wear blue jeans, a grey v-neck t-shirt, a green and black flannel and biker boots. He'd tugged on a leather jacket over the top. Layering was probably my favourite part of this time of year. He also had a silver medallion around his neck.

I think he noticed me staring this time as when I looked up to meet his gaze I was greeted with a cocky smirk. I scowled and pulled my hair back into a short pony to keep my hair out of the way. I shot him a look while holding my helmet under my arm.

"See something you like?" He held a shit eating grin.

"No. You ride?" He looked a little taken aback when I'd shot him down and he shook his head.

"Nope, never before," Renji responded.

"Just a biker by fashion choice then," I replied disapprovingly. "That's going to have to change." I pulled my helmet on over my head and swung a leg over the bike. I sat up straight and kicked the bike into gear, looking pointedly at Renji. "Get on Abarai," I commanded and he followed on behind me.

Electricity shot through me when he wrapped his large hands around my waist and it took me a moment to compose myself again before we sped off. I loved the feeling of being in the wind, air flowing through me. I loved the speed and I loved the rush. I often drove the dodge with the windows rolled down too. It was a part of me that I couldn't explain but I loved it. AND RENJI WAS RUINING IT FOR ME! Stop making me feel things before I have to get myself a cootie shot.

"This is a nice place," Renji commented as we pulled up in the driveway. It was a very traditional looking Japanese house. Pointed, titled roofs with embellishments on the corners, polished decks and exterior walkways. Even the gardens had old and imported Japanese plants. It was also a very large house, too large, if you asked me. They'd gone so far to make their house the embodiment of Japanese architecture it made me wonder why not just stay in japan where this house wouldn't be sorely and noticeably out of place.

"And now we burgle the place," I replied with a laugh in my voice.

"What?!" He cried, obviously not hearing the humor.

"Gees, I'm just kidding. This is my parent's house. I'm just grabbing a few things and saying goodbye before they go away."

I can't believe he fell for that, this is great.

"Oh, where are they going?" He asked curiously.

"Overseas on a cruise. They'll be gone for pretty much the rest of the school year. Over here at least, you've still got some time left I believe."

I held my helmet under my arm again as I headed towards the front door, entering without knocking and putting both Renji and my helmets in the cloak room.

"Konnichiwa Kaasan, I'm home," I called out to my mother. As I took off my shoes she came through into the corridor.

"Konnichiwa Tina-chan. Who's your friend?" My mother was a very short woman. Only about 5ft 1" and her face was well aged. She was quite young looking but very traditional. She had dark hair with no greys, and brown eyes.

"This is Abarai Renji, he's one of the school's Japanese exchange students from Karakura town," I answered her. And of course mum being mum called at the top of her lungs to the rest of the family. My father and granny came into the hallway from their respective ends of the house to see what all the yelling was about.

"Kaasan, Ashido! Tina brought a boy home, and he's Japanese!" My mother squealed excitedly.

"Don't get your hopes up Oyaji, baabaa, he's just a friend." I put my hands up innocently.

I didn't want them getting the wrong idea and making him feel uncomfortable. Baabaa being a shortened version of obaachan which I was allowed to call her as despite her being very traditional she was also rather lenient.

"My, my she certainly has," Baabaa said ignoring me and walking over to Renji.

First she bowed to him and instantly he returned the gesture. She then proceeded to grope his arm muscles and inspect him. Thankfully he took it rather well and just allowed her to do it. He also showed no sign of being weirded out so he was either used to this kind of behaviour or had the best poker face ever.

"Yep, he's a keeper," she responded after a while of squeezing Renji's various muscles.

My grandma was even shorter than my mother. She stood hunched over at 4ft 6" with grey hair pulled back in a thick bun. She was the typical old woman you saw in cartoons, living deep into their hundreds. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought I'd stepped into the anime universe and she was 140 years old. Luckily, I did know better and she was 99.

Grandma may have been very traditional and polite but she was also very abrupt. Renji stood very quietly and didn't protest to her antics. Didn't even break composure. Maybe he was a keeper. He certainly was sexy enough for me. Too bad he kept eyeing me suspiciously.

"It's very nice to meet you, Abarai-san." Oyaji extended a hand towards Renji which he shook awkwardly with what looked to be a fairly strong handshake. "I like your grip son, shows good character."

'Bollox. Strong handshakes show strong hands not strong characters,' I thought.

"Thank you sir. It's good to meet you too," Renji replied without breaking eye contact.

"It's such a welcome change that Tina-chan has brought home a nice Japanese boy instead of her usual white boys," my father continued.

"Well, we do live in Australia dad. It is a little hard to find the ideal man for you," I rolled my eyes as I replied. He of course he ignored me. He does this when he doesn't want to hear what I have to say or I don't call him Oyaji.

"You can call me Kurodo-san," Oyaji put an arm around Renji, leading him further into our home. "So, Abarai was it? Where are you from son?"

"Uh..." he paused. "Karakura Town."

"I see.." my father replied thoughtfully.

"Will you be staying for tea?" my mother asked polity.

"Ah.. sure," he replied with warmth.

Renji wisely kept his leather jacket on but unzipped it. My parents would totally freak out if they saw his tattoos. I slipped away from the center of attention for a moment and went to my room. I figured while Renji was being tortured by my relatives I'd get a start on packing but after pulling out my backpack and looking in my closet I gave up.

Heading back into the guest areas of the house I went into the reception room where my mum and grandmother had Renji trapped. They were surrounded by photo albums.

'Oh crap,' I thought looking at them.

Although Renji didn't seem to mind. A servant came in with our tea and I took a cup from her. I never liked having servants. I'd rather be a do it yourself person but Kaasan, her family, and Oyaji-san were used to it. They both came from very wealthy families.

"And here's where she went fishing for the first time," my mother told Abarai while pointing to a picture in the book of eight year old me with a tiny pink rod and a carp fish half the size of me.

"And here's where she put too many bubbles in the bath," my granny pointed out. There was a picture of our bathroom completely full of white foamy bubbles and my head and arms emerging from the doorway.

"And the time she drove a tractor through the museum wall," Father said shaking his head. That had been a bit of an expense. I had run over to the farming exhibit and jumped inside one. Before I knew if I had accidentally started up one of the oldest tractors there and ploughed through two brick walls.

"Here's her first trip to Japan!" My mother said excitedly. I was around four standing in a pink floral kimono with a goldfish in hand. We'd gone to the summer festival and it was my first one. That was basically my given right to do anything I wanted. I was the happiest four year old there.

"Who's that?" Renji asked with the album turned into pictures of someone else.

"That's my brother," I explained. "He's off in America being a doctor."

"A very respectable profession," my father commented. Which was a dig at my career choice. I wanted to be a musician. Course I couldn't actually play any instruments. He just didn't think I could cut it. They wanted me to to find a nice Japanese boy and marry so they could have grandbabies. 'Whatever.'

"He's twelve years older," I commented.

My mother married young and my father built up his career first. When he was 30 and she was eighteen they had my brother. They hadn't meant to leave such a gap maybe eight years but when he was six it took them five years after that to actually have me. And bloody hell they sure tried.